For their efforts, nine athletes are recognized as “Playmakers” by The Chieftain.

Photographer Bryan Kelsen showcases each athlete’s specialty in a series of photo illustrations.

TENNIS: Dakota Burns

A state qualifier in two sports, Burns is one of Pueblo’s rare three-sport standouts: tennis, golf and basketball. He was Pueblo’s most successful tennis player this past season, finishing third in the No. 2 singles division at the Class 4A state tournament. It was his third year qualifying for the state meet. While he has a calm demeanor, the 6-foot-4 junior is always working to get better, says Wildcats coach Russ Guerrero. “He’s growing into his body and his game is getting stronger. I think not only next year (as a senior) but he has a chance to be really good in college, too,” Guerrero said.

— Larry Lopez

GOLF: Justin Allenback

A senior at Centennial, Allenback was a model of consistency on the golf course and perhaps one of the longest drivers in the state. A three-time state qualifier, he was among the best players in the South-Central League and tied for 53rd at the Class 4A state boys golf championships this past season. Allenback played the game right, never showing his emotions on his sleeve and staying within himself on the course. That, despite playing in the shadow of his brother Jacob, who won the 2012 Class 4A state medalist title.

— Jeff Letofsky

GYMNASTICS: Mari Young

A Minnesota transplant who attends Pueblo West, Young is a four-year letter winner on the Central gymnastics team. An all-around performer, she was the Wildcats’ most consistent performer, posting six first-place finishes in three of their meets this season — twice winning all-around honors.

The senior standout capped her final season with a sixth-place finish in the vault at this year’s 4A state meet. The vault is Young’s best event, but she also won twice in floor exercise and turned in strong performances on the bars as well. “She left it all out there. She gave us her best vault when we needed it,” Central coach Sarah Stenerson said of Young’s state meet showing.

— Larry Lopez

FOOTBALL: Trevor Encinias

Born with one leg, Encinias proved that a handicap is only as big as you make it. His love of football and inner drive enabled him to achieve despite long odds. He started many of Pueblo West’s games as a defensive tackle and was a big contributor to a 7-4 season that ended with the Cyclones’ 35-18 first-round loss to eventual state champion Pine Creek in the Class 4A state playoffs. Encinias also wrestles at Pueblo West and his name consistently shows up on the school’s honor roll.

— Jeff Letofsky

GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY: Emily Perez

Watching Perez run is just like seeing true grit in action. The Centennial junior isn’t the fastest cross-country runner in the city, but no one is more determined whether racing or in training mode. Her performance this fall improved dramatically. She was third among Pueblo runners at both the regional and state 3A meets. For the first time, she cracked the coveted 20-minute mark in back-to-back performances — 19 minutes, 47.1 seconds and 19:57.

— Larry Lopez

BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY: Michael Duran

It was a year ago as a freshman that Duran served notice that he was going to be a force to be reckoned with among a talented group of younger runners in Pueblo. He is a perfect example of how hard work will pay off in success. During the fall season, the Centennial sophomore finished third in the Class 4A cross-country state meet and led the race for nearly half of the 5,000-meter (3.1 miles) distance. A yearlong runner, Duran doesn’t miss many days of training, with workouts ranging from 45 minutes to 11/2 hours. “He’s a student of the game, really passionate. He has a work ethic second to none,” Centennial coach Tim Mondragon said.

— Larry Lopez

SOCCER: Sam Baxter

The Pueblo West senior is another driven athlete relying on extra effort. A midfielder on the Cyclones’ state playoff team, Baxter finished with 15 points that included four goals and seven assists. He was especially at the top of his game in the Class 4A state playoffs, where he was all over the field and scored Pueblo West’s lone goal in a 3-1 quarterfinal loss to Broomfield.

— Jeff Letofsky

SOFTBALL: Cheyenne Talmadge

Everyone knows the face of East softball has been senior pitcher Katie Orona. The heart of the team, though, is Talmadge, the Eagles second baseman. A junior, Talmadge is the spark plug that makes the Eagles go-go-go, both on and off the field. Leading off, she was East’s top hitter with a lofty .541 average. The speedster swiped 22 bases during the season, scoring 98 percent of the time she reached base. A multiple-sport talent, Talmadge also was a state qualifier last spring in track and field. She still has another year in high school but already has signed to attend the University of Northern Colorado to play softball.

— Larry Lopez

VOLLEYBALL: Taylor Gaide

Standing 5 feet, 3 inches and restricted to playing only on the back line, Gaide probably isn’t noticed on the volleyball floor at first. But then, the Pueblo West senior swings into action as the Cyclones libero, proving to be a valuable defensive specialist, digging and passing everything that she tracks down for the Cyclones. Pueblo West coach Casey King still marvels over Gaide’s performance at the state tournament. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” King said. “She doesn’t receive credit, but she stepped up and played big time.”